Last night after church, as a friend and I were watching our teenagers play sports on the lawn, we met another momma as she walked up wearing her beautiful 7-month old baby boy in a carrier. He was facing outward, smiling and making faces at us, as babies do. The conversation eventually revealed that this lovely mom of 5 kiddos is in the throws of divorce. Dad has left. I was heartbroken for this new friend. As a solo parent myself, I know all too well the road ahead and the strength that will arise in her simply because it must.
After sharing some time together, giving her my cell phone number, promising to be there to offer whatever support I could, I then got in my car with my son and wondered what I might actually do within my power to support her. Suddenly I had the idea for this fund. I've walked this journey as a solo parent for some time now...and so many other moms and dads do the same. We keep impossible hours, some of us share equal responsibilities with the other parent...but many or most of us do not. We might even shoulder it all. Every drive to school, every lunch prepared, every diaper changed, doctor's visit, sports match, school play, dance recital... every kiddo's schedule coordinated, while we somehow manage to work ridiculous hours to hopefully provide enough to make ends meet. All the while we know it's worth it. They are our motivation.
I am calling this the Single Parent Benevolence Fund. My prayer is that we can all contribute what we can, when we can and spread the word to others. This fund will be for those emergency trips to the dentist, rental assistance, a prom dress for a teenage girl, new shoes for a boy who's outgrowing his. Perhaps it's also for a manicure and a massage for mom, a night out or a round of golf for that dad who is in this alone. Yes, there are a lot of moms playing the single parent, but I know uncles who have inherited 3 kiddos due to a tragic accident for the parents. Whatever the situation, we can all be in this together.
This fund is dedicated to a group of people who just don't have enough hours in the day to get it all done. As a community, we are called to care for one another in times of need. Maybe this was a great month for you and you have a little extra to spare to someone who is in the place you were a few months back. Maybe you have A LOT to spare and a heart for parents and their little ones.
This fund will be monitored and prayed over. Funds will be distributed on a pressing-needs basis as priority, and proof of need must be provided. If you know a single parent in need, you can nominate them and share their need anonymously. I'm starting with $100 of my money as the first donation and praying for rapid growth!!!
Because we're all in this together...
